Gosforth Ward

Under boundary changes, in May 2018 the East Gosforth Ward was devided between three new wards : Gosforth Ward (with part of the previous West Gosforth Ward west of the High Street); Dene and South Gosforth Ward; while Garden Village became part of Parklands Ward.

The Liberal Democrats promise is "service and action all year round" so they would be pleased to hear from you with any queries or suggestions - gosforth@newcastle-libdems.org.uk

To receive Gosforth eFocus regularly (more news, more quickly, in more depth) in addition to the regular Gosforth Focus through your door, email "subscribe" and your postcode to gosforth.efocus@gmail.com

At the current time politics as usual is not appropriate. The utmost priority is the safety and welfare of all Newcastle's citizens and we will work with the council and partner organisations to safeguard this.

Newcastle Liberal Democrat councillors are working from home to support the community and neighbour networks that have been established in many neighbourhoods in the wards we represent. We aim to ensure that older and vulnerable constituents receive any assistance they need at this time, whilst staying aware of the need to comply with the Government's instructions on staying at home and social distancing - like the gulls in the picture!

Opposition Liberal Democrats' councillors are in a state of shock as it has become clear that the Labour Administration have failed to fully account for the Climate Emergency in the Council's budget proposals for 2020-21.

Responding to questioning at the Finance & Budget Monitoring Scrutiny Sub-Committee, Officers admitted that the numerous committees established with great fanfare by Leader of the Council, Cllr Forbes, to address climate and environment matters would have no formal role in feeding into the Council's budget consultation process, and may even report too late to influence the Council's spending priorities for the coming financial year.

Newcastle's Opposition Liberal Democrats have been left shocked after the Labour Leader of Council admitted that there is no Plan B in the event that Government refuses to stump up the cash for the Council's clean air proposals. In response to question from Cllr Ferguson, Labour's Cllr Forbes has been forced to admit that their proposals would be halted, with no alternatives or contingency planning in place.

We live in dark times. Our democracy is under threat, Cllr Colin Ferguson (seen here with his colleague Cllr Phil Hall) told Newcastle City Council last night. He went on : Our Government seems more interested in playing party political games and maneuvering for personal advantage than in attempting to heal the deep divisions cutting across society. The various figures at the top of the Tory Party seem pathologically obsessed with driving forward with Brexit, come hell or high water.

"The news that the councils seem to be no longer considering the possibility of the £12.50 daily charge for the Central Motorway and Coast Road will be a relief to many people, but it isn't immediately obvious that the new proposals comply with the relevant air quality targets", says Cllr Greg Stone, Liberal Democrats opposition spokesperson on transport and air quality. "These plans appear to do nothing to improve identified air quality problem areas like Shields Road, the Cradlewell, Gosforth High Street, and the Coast Road.

The effect of car engines idling near schools is under increasing scrutiny. As well as damaging young lings and health, the latest research shows that drivers are poisoning themselves too. Liberal Democrats are campaigning to get drivers to turn off their engines when stopped near schools by persuasion at the moment. This poster outside a local school shows all the problems that arise from the practice of not turning off.

What is the true cost of the reduction in the number of litter bins across the City by the Labour run Council?

At last Cabinet Members and Service Directors have decided to come out of the Civic Centre to see what residents and we have been complaining about all this time.

They are annoyed about what it looks like. But what about the impact? Here are some examples observed by Liberal Democrats councillors who are often out and about in their wards litterpicking, frequently with local volunteers :

"It seems the Home Secreatry will talk about anything to tackle knife crime except the one thing that communities most desperately need: more police officers", says Ed Davey, who leads for the Liberal Democrats in Parliament on Home Affairs .

"The Home Office's own analysis shows that the Tories' excessive police cuts have contributed to the rise in serious violence, yet the Home Secretary stubbornly refuses to fund forces properly so they can put more officers on our streets.

"Tackling this knife crime epidemic does require a public health approach, but police are an integral part of that approach. How on earth does Javid expect police officers to spend more time working with youth workers and other agencies when they're already hugely overstretched?

"The Liberal Democrats demand better. The Government must urgently give local police forces the funding they need to recruit more officers and restore the community policing that prevents crime and keeps us safe."

I. Introduction
Newcastle Liberal Democrats hold firm to the values of the wider Liberal Democrat party. Our national vision is set out in the preamble to our party's federal constitution:
The Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society, in which we seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community, and in which no-one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity.
In Newcastle, we aim to stay true to our national vision.
In all that we say and do, we will strive to be open, tolerant and united and to demand better for the residents of our city.
We add one more proviso to our vision locally in our desire to be close to the communities in which we serve, to listen to local people, to work with community organisations, and to act on their behalf where it is possible to do so, in line with our Liberal Democrat principles.
We believe passionately that our focus as a local party and actions should be rooted in communities.

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